The Province is providing up to $1 million to keep the First United shelter open for an additional four months on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Funding that was scheduled to expire on March 31, will now be in place until July 31, 2012, allowing extra time for clients remaining at the shelter to be connected to more permanent housing. Since last June, over 190 people have been housed through the Province's partnership with First United and other non-profit housing providers.

First United is one of three temporary HEAT shelters kept open by the Province until new supportive housing is completed. Earlier this year, funding was extended indefinitely for the two other HEAT shelters - 201 Central with 100 beds and Stanley New Fountain with 40 beds. Close to 400 of the new supportive housing units have opened in Vancouver since January 2011 and three more developments are scheduled to open later this year.

While shelters are an important element of the provincial housing strategy, the Province focuses on creating housing that helps people move off the streets permanently, targeting public funds where they can have the greatest impact.

Quotes:

Stephen Gray, co-executive director, First United -

"We are thrilled that the Province has agreed to provide us an extension on the existing contract. A concerted effort has been made since January to relocate the people who have been at the church long-term, and this funding will go a long way towards assisting us in those efforts."

Quick Facts:

• The Province provides approximately $20 million annually to make more than 1,300 shelter spaces available in the City of Vancouver. This includes around 630 permanent, year-round shelter beds in Vancouver.
• Funding increases since 2007 mean that most shelters are now open 24/7 so people no longer have to leave in the morning or line up at night. They can remain safe and stable while being connected to community services, including more permanent forms of housing.
• Last year, the Province provided over $1.3 million in funding for homeless outreach so community agencies could connect people who are homeless with shelters, housing and support services.
• Between April and September, provincially funded shelter and outreach workers in Vancouver helped approximately 1,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing.
• Supportive Housing
• In a partnership with the City of Vancouver, the Province has committed over $300 million to build more than 1,500 new supportive apartments.
• Supportive housing offers safe, affordable housing with services that connect people with the supports they need to stabilize and begin to rebuild their lives.
• Four developments, with 389 of the new units, are already open and the remaining projects are expected to be completed over the next two years.
• Developments opening later in 2012 include:
• 88 - E. 1st with 129 units.
• 7th and Fir with 62 units.
• 31 W. Pender with 24 units.

For more information, please visit: www.bchousing.org

Media Contact:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789